Muskegon commissioners promise 4-mill tax increase on November ballot would pay for streets

MUSKEGON, MI -- Voters in the city of Muskegon will decide a 4-mill street tax in November.

The city commission Tuesday unanimously agreed to ask voters for the increase that would raise about $2 million per year. Amid concerns that the ballot language doesn't commit the increase to roads, commissioners said they will pass a detailed resolution stating how the funds would be used.

Officials say the city has more than $72 million in needed street repairs, and that citizens need to step up to improve their city.

Vice Mayor Lawrence Spataro said Muskegon cannot depend on the state for adequate street funding.

"We can wish and hope and want, or we can take care of our own business," Spataro said.

A couple of citizens who addressed the commission supported the millage, with conditions. Susan Cloutier, representing Disability Connections, said she expects the improvements to include curb cuts and wide sidewalks to accommodate those who use wheelchairs.

BALLOT LANGUAGE

Here is the official ballot language for a 4-mill property tax increase city commissioners say would be spent to repair roads:

"State law allows the electorate to establish a charter limitation of 20 mills on the City's annual levy for municipal purposes. Currently, the City's annual levy is limited to 10 mills. This proposal would increase the maximum levy allowed to 14 mills to be used for municipal purposes, including but not limited to road maintenance and repair. Shall Section 7 of Article XI of the City Charter be adopted to authorize the levy of up to 14 mills on real and personal property in the City commencing December 1, 2014?"

And Joshua Eldenbrady, 1536 Spring St., said he could support the millage, but expressed concern that later was echoed by commissioners that the ballot language doesn't include a commitment to spend the money on roads.

"I expect you'll have strong opposition from other people if you put this on the ballot without some meaningful commitment," Eldenbrady said.

The ballot language requests an increase of the tax cap in the city charter from 10 mills to 14. The proceeds, the ballot proposal says, would be used for "municipal purposes, including but not limited to road maintenance and repair."

But city Attorney John Schrier requested the language not be changed, explaining that the wording was "vetted and argued" back and forth several times between his office and that of the state attorney general.

He said the commission instead should pass a resolution specifying how the money would be spent. Such a resolution will be developed after more study and meetings with citizens, said Commissioner Dan Rinsema-Sybenga. Commissioners have discussed using some of the proceeds to fund street light maintenance.

Commissioner Ken Johnson asked how they can be certain that future city commissions will follow the spending commitments spelled out in a resolution. He suggested a "binding resolution," but Schrier said that's not a possibility.

Spataro said he doesn't question the intentions of future commissions, saying that 20 years after the city income tax was adopted, the commission is keeping promises made to spend those proceeds on public safety.

"Here we are and those promises have been kept," he said.

Despite his own opposition to raising taxes, Commissioner Willie German Jr. said he believes the citizens should have the final say.

Citizen Robert Jennings, of 3553 Marina View Point, said he supports the millage but questioned whether it would be enough to meet the need.

"I think it's very important the citizens step up and assume some responsibility for improving our city, making it more attractive and safer," Jennings said.